Thermal Analysis

ClimateStudio supports multi zone thermal simulations using the US Department of Energy’s EnergyPlus whole building simulation program.

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To prepare a model for simulation, work your way through the following subpanels:

1 - Location
2 - Thermal Model

Output variables and other simulation settings may be adjusted prior to the run using the settings dialog (3). The library manager (4) facilitates browsing and/or modifying various library assets, including templates, constructions, and schedules – all of which are also accessible when editing the Thermal Model. Once all inputs have been populated, a simulation is invoked by pressing the start button (5). A DOS window should appear, showing the progress of the EnergyPlus simulation. The run may take several minutes.

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Simulation Results

Upon completion of the simulation, the DOS window disappears and ClimateStudio automatically opens the results panel. The top of the panel shows summary results for the whole building, including the site energy use intensity (EUI) as well as annual carbon emissions and costs from operational energy use.

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The results below are organized at the whole building and zone level.

Building

  • Energy Use Intensity shows monthly EUI levels for the whole building for heating, cooling, lighting and equipment.

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  • Energy Use shows total monthly energy use for the whole building for heating, cooling, lighting and equipment.

  • Zone Temperature Curves show the number of hours for each zone that the operative temperature is below (red) or above (blue) a given temperature. In the example below, the operative temperature of the Open Office zone is 673h per year above 26 degrees Celsius, indicating a propensity of the space for overheating.

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  • Energy Flow indicates the monthly sum of heat flows in and out of a zone. Heat from equipment, people and electric lighting is always positive. System loads may be positive (heating) or negative (cooling).

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Zone

At the zone level, ClimateStudio reports hourly dry bulb, mean radiant and operative temperature as well as relative humidity at the center of a zone.

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Export

The bottom of the panel contains multiple options for exporting data, including uploading results directly to the AIA 2030 Design Data Exchange.

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